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About this project

Backstory

Like most of us, I started riding a bicycle when I was just a kid. To me, it was all about freedom, fun, and adventure. While still a teenager, I saved up enough money to buy my first 'real' mountain bike and from that point on, I was hooked.

In recent years, as bicycle technology became more and more advanced, I found myself intrigued by the minimalist bike. I started commuting on a single speed with coaster brake and like many, was reminded of why I fell in love with bikes in the first place.

The concept of simplicity in bicycle design struck a chord with me and I began to wonder if I could possibly design an ultra simple bike that is still fun to ride, and importantly, stylish. From that, the bicymple was born.

Simple, Fun, Stylish

The bicymple is a stripped down, chainless, single speed that offers a unique ride. Want out of the fast lane for a while? Then enjoy a mellow, chainless ride that takes you back to when life was simple and easy. You won’t get anywhere fast but you won’t care. It’s addition by subtraction. Feeling frisky? Then pull a lever and liberate the rear wheel to turn along with the front wheel. Suddenly the most basic terrain offers adventure. Ultra-tight cornering, “crab-riding,” incredible wheelies, and who knows what else is possible!

Functional Art

People love to check out this bike. Whether it’s hanging on your wall or tied up outside your favorite haunt, the unique design will attract attention. Just watch through the window of the local coffee shop as people gather around, take pictures, scan the QR code, wonder who owns it. Like anything new and unique, reactions vary, curiosity, love, disgust (haters!), you’ll see it all.

What it Isn’t

The bicymple is not a unicycle with a front wheel, but we understand why someone might think so. The geometry and ride are completely different. The bicymple rides more like a bicycle, but it does love a good wheelie.
Furthermore, if you can only own one bike and it has to be fast, then the bicymple isn't for you. There are plenty of bikes that are fast. However, if you are looking for a simple bike, a different ride, or a bike that can be stored in a small space, then consider the bicymple as your only bike or as one to add to your stable..

What We’re About

We're not interested in outsourcing production overseas or doing anything to reduce the overall quality. The frame will be handmade by local professionals in the United States. We will personally assemble each bike. The bicymple will remain a small production, high-quality product. If you invest in the bicymple through Kickstarter, you are helping to create a brand that will be synonymous with style, uniqueness, creativity, and excitement.

Why Kickstarter?

We're looking to Kickstarter to help us share the bicymple with the world. We’d like to see if there is enough real interest for us to “tool up” and make a few of them. In addition, the capital gained will give us the purchasing power to buy materials and components in bulk to reduce costs.

Press

The bicymple will soon be on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and it has been featured on various news and design programs and websites, including the Discovery Channel, Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Gizmodo, NOTCOT, and many others!

Thank You

We've developed a collection of rewards to offer in exchange for your investment, from stickers that you can use to show your support for the bicymple, to stylish hoodies to keep you warm on those cool Autumn days, to even your own hand-numbered and signed bicymple from the first production run. There truly is something for everyone! See the rewards section for complete information.

Beanies

(final designs may vary)

Shirts

(final designs may vary)

Hoodies

(final designs may vary)

Bicymple Sizing

There are currently two basic sizes available: Regular (29er) - For riders with inseams 29"-36" Small (26er) - For riders with inseams 24"-30"

We at the bicymple sincerely thank you for your interest and hope to see you out there riding one soon!

Risks and challenges

Every projects faces unforeseen difficulties and we're confident we'll have no problem overcoming any hurdles that come our way. We already have.

As we see it, the largest potential difficulty comes from possible supply chain delays, but since the majority of components are standard, off-the-shelf bike components, it shouldn't be a problem. If problems arise, we can pursue distributors other than the ones we're currently working with. A smaller potential difficulty is with the manufacture of the frame and custom components, but again, the concern is minimal, since our design can be built by more than a single manufacturer. We aren't reliant on a single factory in a faraway land, so should one provider fall through, we'll shift to another. Ultimately, we can hand build them ourselves, as we have already done, so there is no real concern.

We won't ship anything that we aren't proud of.

If we are successfully funded, we will be in regular contact with each backer to keep them updated.

Pledge $1,100 or more

Own one of the first 20 of this model, hand-signed and numbered. A collector's edition.

Free Shirt and Beanie included with every bicymple!

Shipping is not included and will be required at the time of shipment, based on actual shipping costs.

(Targeted delivery date is well before December 2013, but we want to ensure we're not rushed, in order to provide you with the best possible product.)

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

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Pledge $1,100 or more

5 backers
Limited (15 left of 20)

Due to popular demand, we've added a second run of 20 of the "Freewheeling" bicymple. Direct-drive, freewheeling model with dual brakes. The "all-arounder" bicymple. Own one of the second batch of this model, numbered 21-40. A collector's edition. Shipping is not included and will be required at the time of shipment, based on actual shipping costs. (Targeted delivery date is well before December 2013, but we want to ensure we're not rushed, in order to provide you with the best possible product.)